Dear Friends in Christ, The new school year is at hand, and beginning just after Labor Day, there are many opportunities at St Mary’s to be diligent students of the Lord Jesus: An Introduction to Catholicism is the course which includes the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults, and anyone who wants to learn more…

Dear Friends in Christ, Numinous. This is not a word one hears in casual conversation, but it is an English word that entered our language in the 17th century from the Latin word numen which means divine presence. Numinous is an adjective that includes a field of meanings, including concepts like spiritual, holy, religious, transcendent,…

Dear Friends in Christ, The Feast of the Transfiguration (described with slightly different emphases by Matthew, Mark and Luke) recalls the manifestation of His divine glory by the Lord Jesus to Peter, James and John on Mt. Tabor. During this revelation of His divine nature to human eyes, Jesus was accompanied by Moses and Elijah,…

Dear Friends in Christ, Who should receive Holy Communion at Mass? Only Catholics who have made their first Confession and received their first Holy Communion may receive Communion at Mass. Communicants should be living according to the Gospel by the obedience of faith and going to Confession whenever needed, and if they are married, they…

Dear Friends in Christ, We often receive requests from people who want to get married at St. Mary’s or want to have their baby baptized here or who have been invited by a friend or relative to serve as a sponsor for a Baptism or Confirmation somewhere else. And very often these requests come from…

Dear Friends in Christ, In the service of helping everyone participate more deeply in divine worship … Upon entering the church, please a dip a finger into the holy water near the door, and then trace the sign of the Cross on your forehead, heart, and shoulders. This is a remembrance of Holy Baptism by…